Strata

Strata was commissioned by the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players and Continuum Contemporary Music (Toronto) in 2010 with the assistance of the Ontario Arts Council. The title refers to the layering of musical material found throughout the work. Often there are layers or patterns that overlap with themselves. Musical shapes are sometimes created by widening glissando lines played by the strings. In writing the piece I was looking for music that was very energetic and virtuosic, but also moments that are calm despite the surging activity.

Continuum performed the Canadian premiere of Strata on February 12, 2012.

Brian Current studied music at McGill University and UC Berkeley. His music, lauded and performed internationally, as well as broadcast in over 35 countries, has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Barlow Prize for Orchestral Music (USA) and the Italia Premio Fedora for Chamber Opera.  Brian’s pieces have been programmed by all major orchestras in Canada and by the Indianapolis Symphony, the New York City Opera, the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, the Oakland Symphony, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, the Warsaw National Philharmonic, the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, the American Composers Orchestra (Carnegie Hall), Monday Evening Concerts (Los Angeles) and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. The 20101-2012 season includes performances of his music by the Toronto Symphony, the Montreal Symphony and the National Symphony of Taiwan.

For more information about Brian Current, click here.